Author | Lightnews

AJ LaTrace

AJ LaTrace

@latrace.bsky.social

1.3K followers 300 following 390 posts

Chicago-based real estate reporter and editor currently at RealEstateNews.com Previously: Business Insider, Chicago magazine, Curbed aj at realestatenews dot com

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AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 7h

Fireside and the Arlington Heights Knights of Columbus banquet hall was where the "scene" was at back then. Having these venues was a big reason why the Chicago scene blew up back then with Knockout, Fall Out Boy, The Academy and so many others getting signed.

youtu.be/RguSZKdItvs?...

Fall Out Boy Live Halloween 2003 @ Knights of Columbus

YouTube video by themorningofrock

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 7h

I was fortunate to play Fireside Bowl on two different occasions with two different bands and to have attended countless shows there back in high school. When I pass by even 20-25 years later, I still imagine that this is how it looks inside. (I was at this show too.)

youtu.be/XlcFTOQVB-Q?...

Thursday - 03 - Standing on the Edge of Summer

YouTube video by gunsnrobotss

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 8h

Once the Milwaukee Avenue small biz boom broke past the Kimball/Diversey barrier, it all happened really fast. It feels like everything is filled in along that stretch now. It's been nice being a young parent to be able to walk over there and get breakfast and go to the free bookstore.

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 8h

lol! So maybe it's safe to say that Woodstock 99 was the beginning of American Century of Humiliation? And wow, I didn't even think about soldiers rolling into Baghdad listening to Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water, but it seems very likely?

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 9h

100%. I lived on Karlov right here at Belmont in 2012 when every millennial in Chicago worked at Groupon (including myself) and often found myself running down Belmont to get to the Blue Line to get to work on time. I ended up bike commuting most days. Having a closer L stop would have been huge.

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 9h

Also, 1999 was peak numetal and the start of the gradual shift into grudge-light butt rock during the early 2000s which was a stain on American pop culture

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 9h

I've always felt like Columbine was the beginning of the end

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 9h

Good question... I'm not actually too sure. I'll have to start looking out for that. But with this part of Avondale (and Milwaukee Ave west of Central Park), I think a lot of the new development was due to the fact that Ariel Reboyras wasn't running again and basically approved every zoning change

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 9h

And for Belmont and Karlov too... That part of western Avondale has had its own mini building boom in the last 5-10 years.

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 9h

This is not good for regular working people. Equifax requires a a FTC identity theft report to initiate an extended fraud alert.

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 1d

Moody skies, both day and night

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 1d

Lovely Ephraim, Wisconsin

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 1d

To be clear: "The current offering brokered by JLL, is for 474 rental apartments, 974 parking garage spaces and about 56,000 square feet of commercial space at the base of the tower." The Radisson Blu hotel and privately owned condominiums are not for sale.

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 1d

According to veteran Chicago commercial real estate reporter Ryan Ori, Studio Gang's Aqua is being shopped around. The building (hotel not included) last sold for nearly $190.5 million in March 2019, Ori notes.

www.costar.com/article/7646...

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 5d

Hoby Hanna, the leader of the largest independently owned, privately held brokerage in the country, isn't concerned about the residential brokerage industry consolidating into just a handful of giants.

www.realestatenews.com/2025/10/16/h...

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 7d

"When you look at American history, when industries consolidate, it tends to result in three to five surviving large players. Look at telecom, insurance and banking — that's necessarily not a good thing for consumers," eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja said to me.

www.realestatenews.com/2025/10/15/e...

eXp is ‘prepared for anything’ as consolidation ramps up

A combination of major consolidations and a less cooperative environment could make residential brokerage look more commercial, eXp’s CEO warns.

www.realestatenews.com

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 10d

Eastern Orthodox aestheticism goes so hard. Here's a very well produced look at Justin Marler's Youth of the Apocalypse.

youtu.be/6sL7ArCWJbc?...

YOUTH OF THE APOCALYPSE

YouTube video by harmony

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 16d

Ross Perot doesn't get enough respect put on his name. Hopefully the SECRET BASE RADIO MUSIC PROGRAM isn't just one giant sucking sound.

Reposted by AJ LaTrace

Steven @stevevance.net · 19d

Chicago ADU FAQ
abundanthousingillinois.org/resources/ac...

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 20d

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 20d

What's the path forward for ADUs in two- or three-flats in areas with commercial zoning?

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 23d

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 25d

Here's another video that was just recently shared by the Belmont Tavern on Instagram.

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 25d

This video was just sent to me by my neighbor. She said that there was ICE activity underway at the Belmont and Kimball intersection around 1:30 p.m.

AJ LaTrace @latrace.bsky.social · 26d

RIP Chicago Pickle